Right before the week of Art Basel, special events throughout the city already come in advance presenting a most welcome atmosphere to the art fan coming all over the world.
The Globus Public Art Project is a breath of fresh air in the heart of Basel. This summer, the Swiss artist Claudia Comte is set to transform the façade of the city’s historical department store, Globus, into a mesmerizing large-scale installation, “Waves, Cacti and Sunsets.”
As I gaze upon the sweeping black and white pattern that forms a second skin on Globus’ façade, I’m transported to a different world. The large-format images of desert landscapes and towering cacti against a backdrop of a stunning sunset are a feast for the eyes. The waves, rolling along at ground level, invite us to look up and lose ourselves in the desert above.
But there’s more to this installation than meets the eye. The desert is too arid for human life, the cacti are cast in marble, and the sunset burns a fiery orange. It’s a dreamscape with a stark message about our ecological crisis.
Claudia Comte, the mastermind behind this project, is known for her monumental installations that playfully blend organic patterns and morphology. Her work is a testament to the transformative power of art and the resilience of the natural world.
The Globus Public Art Project is more than just an art initiative. It’s a celebration of creativity, a commentary on our environment, and a call to action. It’s a reminder that art is not confined to galleries—it lives and breathes in our streets, in our daily routines, and in the heart of our cities. It’s a project that I, for one, am eagerly looking forward to experiencing.
